Image forming system and method of controlling image forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

A trial mode in which the number of trials is limited can be set for a network printer function and a network scanner function of an image forming apparatus. Then, the use of one of the network printer function and network scanner function of the image forming apparatus for which the trial mode has been set is permitted in accordance with a use request from a user.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHTS AND TRADE DRESS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may showand/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner.The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure as it appears in thePatent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwisereserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This patent claims priority from the following prior-filed copendingnon-provisional patent applications: application Ser. No. 10/865,550,entitled “Image Forming System and Method of Controlling Image FormingApparatus”, filed Jun. 9, 2004 which claims the benefit of priority fromprior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-193817, filed Jul. 8, 2003,the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming system comprising acomposite image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions, and amethod of controlling the image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

A composite image forming apparatus (also referred to as MFP) is knownwhich has not only a normal copy function but also several otherfunctions such as a network scanner function to transmit an image readby a scanner to external equipment by attaching the image to an e-mailand a network printer function to print out an image in accordance withan externally inputted image signal.

The copy function is standard and can be immediately used. The networkscanner function and the network printer function may be optional and bepermitted to be used on condition that a user purchases them asrequired.

However, the option functions may be rarely used after purchase. In thiscase, the cost of these functions may be a waste.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image formingsystem that allows a user to try the user's desired function andusefully and handily use the desired function on the basis of the trial,as well as a method of controlling an image forming apparatus.

The image forming system according to the present invention comprises:

a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions;

a setting section which sets a trial mode in which at least either thenumber of trials or the number of days for the trials is limited, forone of the functions of the image forming apparatus which are requestedto be tried; and a permitting section which permits the use of the oneof the functions of the image forming apparatus for which the trial modehas been set, in accordance with a use request.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed outhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention, and together with the general description given above andthe detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image formingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the configuration of a control panel accordingto this embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit according to thisembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating operations of this embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of display on a control panelaccording to this embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view showing another example of display on the control panelaccording to this embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of display on the control panelaccording to a variation of this embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a composite image forming apparatus according to thepresent invention. An image forming apparatus 1 has a copy function, anetwork printer function, and a network scanner function. The copyfunction is standard and can be immediately used. The network printerfunction and the network scanner function are optional and are permittedto be used on condition that a user of the image forming apparatus 1purchases them as required.

The image forming apparatus 1 has a copy board 2 on its top surface. Anautomatic document feeder (ADF) 3 including a sheet discharge tray isprovided on the copy board 2 so as to be opened and closed. A controlpanel 4 is provided at the same height as that of the copy board asoperation means for setting operational conditions. FIG. 2 shows aspecific example of the control panel 4.

The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with cassettes 5, 6, 7, and 8in its lower part in which paper sheets of various sizes areaccommodated.

FIG. 3 shows a control circuit in the image forming apparatus 1.

A CPU 20 as a control center connects to a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a counter24, an electric wave clock 25, a panel control section 31, a copycontrol section 32, a network scanner control section 33, a networkprinter control section 34, and a network control section 37.

The RAM 22 stores the set number N of trials for the number P of printsdescribed later, the set number S of trials for the number L of scansdescribed later, and the like. The RAM 22 stores various programsdownloaded from a server 42 described later. The ROM 23 stores variouscontrol programs required for operations of the image forming apparatus1. If a trial mode described later is set, the counter 24 counts thenumber P of prints and the number L of scans. The electric wave clock 25also comprises an antenna 25 a and clocks the current time, whilesequentially updating the current time by receiving a standard timeelectric wave.

The panel control section 31 controls the control panel 4. The copycontrol section 32 controls the scanner 35 and the printer 35 for thecopy function. The network scanner control section 33 controls thescanner 35 for the network scanner function. The network printer controlsection 34 controls the printer 36 for the network printer function(including a FAX function).

The network control section 37 controls external data transmissions andreceptions via the network interface 38. The network interface 38includes a LAN board and a FAX modem. The network interface 38 isconnected to user terminals, for example, a large number of personalcomputers 41, 41, . . . , 41 via a communication network line 40 such asa LAN or the Internet and to at least one server 42. The server 42 isinstalled in a management center (not shown) or the like located in anarea which is different from the area in which the image formingapparatus 1 is installed.

The CPU 20 has means (1) and (2) as its main functions.

(1) First request section that requests a trial of either the networkprinter function or network scanner function of the image formingapparatus 1 in response to an operation of either the control panel 4 orpersonal computer 41 performed by a service person or user who waspresent at the installation of the image forming apparatus 1.

(2) Second request section that request, of the server 42, the use of afunction for which a trial mode described later has been set, inresponse to an operation of either the control panel 4 or personalcomputer 41 performed by the user.

On the other hand, the server 42 is installed in the management center(not shown) or the like located in an area which is different from thearea in which the image forming apparatus 1 is installed. The server 42stores programs required for operations and various expansion functionsof the image forming apparatus. The server 42 has means (11) and (12) asits main functions.

(11) Setting section that sets the trial mode in which the number oftrials (or the number of days for the trials) is limited, for either thenetwork scanner function or network printer function which is requestedby the first request section to be tried.

(12) Permitting section that permits the use (also referred to as apurchase request) of either the network scanner function or networkprinter function for which the trial mode has been set, in response to ause request from the second request section.

Now, operations of the above configuration will be described withreference to the flow chart in FIG. 4.

After the image forming apparatus 1 has been installed, the serviceperson or user who was present at the installation operates either thecontrol panel 4 or personal computer 41 to request a trial of thenetwork printer function (YES in a step 101). Then, the request is sentto the server 42 via the communication network line 40. In response tothe request for a trial, the server 42 instructs the image formingapparatus 1 to set the trial mode for the network print function. Inresponse to this instruction, the image forming apparatus 1 starts thetrial mode for the network printer function (step 102). Then, the setnumber N of trials (number of sheets for trials) of network prints isset at, for example, “10,000”. The number P of prints (number of sheetsfor prints) in the counter 24 is initialized to “0” (step 103).

Subsequently, a print instruction is inputted from the personal computer41 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication network line40 (YES in a step 104). Then, the printer 36 executes printing inaccordance with an image signal inputted by the personal computer 41(step 105). In association with the printing, the number P of prints inthe counter 24 is incremented by “1” (step 106). The number P of printsincremented by “1” is subtracted from the set number N of trials todetermine the number E of remaining trials (step 107). The determinednumber E of remaining trials is displayed in a free display area of thecontrol panel 4 as “number of unprinted sheets:” (step 108). The usercan view this display to determine the number E of remaining trials ofnetwork prints.

Before the number E of remaining trials of network prints becomes “0”(NO in a step 109) and if the print instruction contains a plurality ofprint jobs, the processing from step 105 to step 108 is repeated untilall the print jobs are finished (YES in a step 110).

Even when the number E of remaining trials becomes “0” (YES in a step109), if not all the print jobs have been finished (NO in a step 111),the processing from step 105 to step 108 is repeated.

Once the number E of remaining trials becomes “0” or smaller (YES in thestep 109) and all the print jobs have been finished (YES in the step111), the trial mode for the network printer function is finished. Atthe same time, the characters “trial mode end” are displayed in the freedisplay area of the control panel 4 as shown in FIG. 6 (step 112).

After the trial mode for the network printer function has been finished,provided that no purchase requests (use requests) are inputted from thecontrol panel 4 or the personal computer 41 (NO in a step 113), the useof the network printer function is immediately prohibited (step 114).

After the trial mode for the network printer function has been finished,if the user desires to use the network printer function, the use inputsa purchase request (use request) from either the control panel 4 orpersonal computer 41 (YES in the step 113). This input data is sent tothe server 42 via the communication network line 40. In response to thisinput, the server 42 issues data for permitting the use of the networkprinter function, for example, a password. The server 42 then sends thepassword to the image forming apparatus 1 or personal computer 41 fromwhich the purchase request has been inputted. The password sent to theimage forming apparatus 1 is displayed on the control panel 4 andprovided to the user. The password sent to the personal computer 41 isdisplayed on a display of the personal computer 41 and provided to theuser.

Subsequently, every time the password provided to the user is inputtedfrom either the control panel 4 or the personal computer 41, the use ofthe network printer function of the image forming apparatus 1 ispermitted (step 115).

On the other hand, the service person or user who was present at theinstallation operates either the control panel 4 or personal computer 41to request a trial of the network scanner function (YES in a step 118).Then, the request is sent to the server 42 via the communication networkline 40. In response to the request for a trial, the server 42 instructsthe image forming apparatus 1 to set the trial mode for the networkscanner function. In response to this instruction, the image formingapparatus 1 starts the trial mode for the network scanner function (step119). Then, the set number S of trials (set number of sheets for trials)of network scans is set at, for example, “10,000”. The number L of scans(number of sheets for scans) in the counter 24 is initialized to “0”(step 120).

Subsequently, a scan instruction is inputted from the personal computer41 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication network line40 (YES in a step 116). Then, the scanner 35 executes scanning to readan image from a document placed on the copy board 2 (step 117). The CPU20 then generates an e-mail to which this read image is attached. Thegenerated e-mail is sent to the personal computer 41 via thecommunication network line 40. This is what is called Scan To Email.

In association with the network scan, the number L of scan in thecounter 24 is incremented by “1” (step 118). The number L of scansincremented by “1” is subtracted from the set number S of trials todetermine the number M of remaining trials (step 119). The determinednumber M of remaining trials is displayed in a free display area of thecontrol panel 4 as “number of unscanned sheets:” (step 120). The usercan view this display to determine the number M of remaining trials ofnetwork scans.

Even when the number M of trials of network scans becomes “0” (YES in astep 121), if not all the scan jobs have been finished (NO in a step122), the processing from step 117 to step 120 is repeated.

Once the number M of remaining trials of network scans becomes “0” orsmaller (YES in the step 121) and all the print jobs have been finished(YES in the step 122), the trial mode for the network scanner functionis finished. At the same time, the characters “trial mode end” aredisplayed in the free display area of the control panel 4 as shown inFIG. 6 (step 123).

After the trial mode for the network scanner function has been finished,provided that no purchase requests (use requests) are inputted from thecontrol panel 4 or the personal computer 41 (NO in a step 124), the useof the network scanner function is immediately prohibited (step 125).

After the trial mode for the network scanner function has been finished,if the user desires to use the network scanner function, the user inputsa purchase request (use request) from either the control panel 4 orpersonal computer 41 (YES in the step 124). This input data is sent fromthe image forming apparatus 1 to the server 42 via the communicationnetwork line 40. In response to this input, the server 42 issues datafor permitting the use of the network scanner function, for example, apassword. The server 42 then sends the password to the image formingapparatus 1 or personal computer 41 from which the purchase request hasbeen inputted. The password sent to the image forming apparatus 1 isdisplayed on the control panel 4 and provided to the user. The passwordsent to the personal computer 41 is displayed on a display of thepersonal computer 41 and provided to the user.

Subsequently, every time the password provided to the user is inputtedfrom either the control panel 4 or the personal computer 41, the use ofthe network printer function of the image forming apparatus 1 ispermitted (step 126).

If the user inputs a purchase request during the trial mode for thenetwork printer function or network scanner function, then at thatpoint, the server 42 issues a password for permitting the use.

As described above, the apparatus comprises not only the copy function,which is standard and can be immediately used, but also the networkscanner function and network printer function, which are optional. Thus,the user can try the network scanner function and the network printerfunction. Consequently, the user can adequately recognize through his orher own experience whether or not each of the function is required.Then, only if the user desires to purchase (use) any function, theserver 42 permits the use of that function. This prevents a distributoror manufacture providing the image forming apparatus 1 from inflicting aloss and allows it to do an efficient business. This system iseconomical to the user because he or she need not pay any fees forunwanted functions.

It is possible to download arbitrary programs from the server 42 intothe image forming apparatus 1. This enables various expansion functionsdesired by the user to be mounted in the image forming apparatus 1.

In the described example, control programs for the network printerfunction and network scanner function are pre-stored in the imageforming apparatus 1. However, the control programs may be downloadedfrom the server 42 into the image forming apparatus 1 as required.

In the above description, the number of trials is set as a limitation onthe trial mode. However, time counting based on clocking by the electricwave clock may be started simultaneously with the start of the trialmode, so as to set the number of elapsed days based on the time count asa limitation on the trial mode. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, “trialmode: . . . days remain” is displayed in the free display area of thecontrol panel 4.

Both the number of trials and the number of days for the trials may beset as limitations on the trial mode.

In the above description, the trial mode is set by an instruction givenby the server 42 to the image forming apparatus 1. However, once a trialis requested by operating the control panel 4 or the personal computer41, the trial mode may be set directly for the image forming apparatus.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shownand described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventiveconcept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions,comprising: a network interface connected to at least one computer via acommunication network; a setting section which sets a trial mode inwhich at least either the number of trials or the number of days for thetrials is limited, for one of said plurality of functions in response toan operation of either a control panel of the image forming apparatus orthe computer; a request section which requests a purchase of thefunction for which the trial mode has been set by the communicationnetwork; and a permitting section which permits the use of the functionfor which the trial mode has been set, in accordance with the purchaserequest of the request section, and prohibits the use of the functionfor which the trial mode has been set upon completion of trial mode in acase where the request has not requested the purchase function.
 2. Anapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of functions are acopy function, a network printer function for which the trial mode canbe set, and a network scanner function for which the trial mode can beset, the network printer function printing out an image in accordancewith an externally inputted image signal, and the network scannerfunction transmitting an image read by the image forming apparatus toexternal equipment.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising the network interface connected to the computer and a servervia the communication network, the server issuing a password for thepermission in accordance with the purchase request of the requestsection.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising adisplay which displays the number of the remaining trials or the numberof remaining days for the trials.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the request section is provided in at least one of the imageforming apparatus and the computer.
 6. An apparatus according to claim3, wherein the setting section is provided in either the image formingapparatus or the server, and the permitting section is provided in theserver.
 7. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus having aplurality of functions and including a network interface connected to atleast one computer via a communication network, the method comprising:setting a trial mode in which at least either a number of trials or anumber of days for the trials is limited, for one of said plurality offunctions in response to an operation of either a control panel of theimage forming apparatus or the computer; requesting a purchase of thefunction for which the trial mode has been set by the communicationnetwork; permitting the use of the function for which the trial mode hasbeen set, in accordance with the purchase request, and prohibiting theuse of the function for which the trial mode has been set uponcompletion of trial mode in a case where there is no purchase request.8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of functions area copy function, a network printer function for which the trial mode canbe set, and a network scanner for which the trial mode can be set, thenetwork printer function printing out an image in accordance with anexternally inputted image signal, and the net network scanner functiontransmitting an image read by the image forming apparatus to externalequipment.
 9. A method according to claim 7, further comprising thenetwork interface connected to the computer and a server via thecommunication network, the server issuing a password for the permissionin accordance with the purchase request.
 10. A method according to claim7, further comprising displaying the number of the remaining trials orthe number of remaining days for the trials.
 11. A method according toclaim 7, wherein the request section is provided in at least one of themage forming apparatus and the computer.
 12. An image forming apparatushaving a plurality of functions, comprising: a network interfaceconnected to at least one computer via a communication network; settingmeans for setting a trial mode in which at least either a number oftrials or a number of days for the trials is limited, for one of saidplurality of functions in response to an operation of either a controlpanel of the image forming apparatus of the computer; requesting meansfor requesting a purchase of the function for which the trial mode hasbeen set by the communication network; permitting means for the use ofthe function for which the trial mode has been set, in accordance withthe purchase request of the requesting means, and prohibiting the use ofthe function for which the trial mode has been set upon completion oftrial mode in a case where the requesting means has not requested thepurchase of the function.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 12,wherein the plurality for functions are a copy function, a networkprinter function for which the trial mode can be set, and a networkscanner function for which the trial mode can be set, the networkprinter function printing out an image in accordance with an externallyinputted image signal, and the network scanner transmitting am imageread by the image forming apparatus to external equipment.
 14. Anapparatus according to claim 12, further comprising the networkinterface connected to the computer and a server via the communicationnetwork, the server issuing a password for the permission in accordancewith the purchase request from the requesting means.
 15. An apparatusaccording to claim 12, further comprising displaying means fordisplaying the number of the remaining trials or the number of remainingdays for the trials.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein therequesting means is provided in at least one of the image formingapparatus and the computer.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 14,wherein the setting means is provided in either the image formingapparatus or the server, and the permitting means is provided in theserver.